Cat track

ABSTRACT

A cat track composed of several track sections when attached end-to-end in other than an endless loop has end caps to retain a ball that rolls freely in the track. Assembled, the sections may be used together with a cat scratcher and/or a cat spa or other animal toy to increase the animal&#39;s interest. The sections may be made in different shapes but are capable of being connected end-to-end to define a variety of patterns, either as an endless or open (non-continuous) track.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/974,234, entitled “CAT TRACK” filed on Oct. 12,2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to cat toys and more particularly to a new andimproved cat track capable of being assembled in many different patternsand in combination with other activity centers so as to provide greaterpleasure to the cat and hold the animal's interest.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is well known that cats easily get bored playing with the same toy,and one important object of this invention is to provide a track thatmay be assembled in many different configurations so as to provide anumber of different challenges to the animal to hold its attention.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention the track when assembledin other than as an endless track, has a feature that returns a ballrolling freely in the track to a central location intermediate the trackends.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the track is ofmodular construction to enable each length of track to be disassembledfor cleaning.

Yet another aspect of this invention is the ability to assemble thetrack sections with other cat toys such as a spa and scratcher to forman activity center for an animal.

The cat track of the present invention is composed of several sectionsthat may be linear, curved or of other shapes, and the sections may allbe the same or of different configurations. Each track section inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention is made up of a basethat includes an approximately semi-cylindrical track bottom wall and asimilarly curved top wall that serves as a cover. The cover has anelongated opening that extends along a substantial portion of the tracksection length and is large enough to expose a ball moving in the trackover a substantial length, but too small to enable the ball to escapefrom the track. The cover is also shorter in length than the trackbottom, and when an assembled section is attached end-to-end with othertrack sections or track ends, the shorter covers of the adjacentsections also expose the ball, but the openings are not so large as toenable the ball to escape. The openings at each end of the tracksections and in the covers enable the cat to push the ball causing it toroll in the track.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the assemblyincludes end caps that may be used with one or more track sectionconnected end-to-end. The track end caps have tracks that are upwardlyinclined from the track sections so as to cause a ball in the track thatrolls into an end, to reverse direction and roll toward the other end ofthe track without further pushing by the animal.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the tracksections may be connected to other toys as an assembly, of interest tothe animal. Examples of such toys are a cat spa and scratcher.

The invention will be better understood and appreciated from thefollowing detailed description read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one track assembly employing four tracksections and two end caps in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a fully assembled cat track system inthe configuration of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the addition of acat scratcher incorporated into the system;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one track section;

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the track section shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of the baseof the track section showing an interlock that joins the base and top ofthe section together;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an end cap used in the trackassembly;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base of the end cap;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an assembled end cap andtrack section;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of an assembledtrack section;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary bottom perspective views of theconnection of a track section and an end cap or second track section andshowing how the two are attached and releasably locked to one another;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing one track assembly composed offour track sections assembled to form an endless track; and

FIGS. 12-16 show five additional track configurations together with acat grooming and/or scratch station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

This invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carriedout in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,”“containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items.

The modular cat track system of the present invention is composed of anumber of track sections 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that are capableof being interconnected in a variety of different arrangements, all ofwhich are designed to receive a ball that may roll from end-to-end whenthe track sections are connected in series or to roll endlessly in aclosed loop track when the sections are assembled in an endless array.In addition to the track sections 20, the assembly may include end caps22 when the track sections are not assembled to form an endless track.It is contemplated that the track sections and end caps 20 and 22 may besold as a kit containing a plurality of track sections and two or moreend caps, but it is to be appreciated that the sections and caps may bepackaged and sold individually so as to expand the number and size ofpreviously acquired track systems, all constructed in accordance withthe invention. It is also contemplated that the cat track kit mayinclude one or more scratch pads 120 and/or grooming stations 130,hereinafter called cat spa, that may be incorporated into a chosenassembly of several track sections with or without end caps. In FIGS.11-16 a variety of different track assemblies are shown by way ofexamples, made of track sections, with or without end caps, scratch padsand grooming stations.

The ball 110 used in the track system may be molded or otherwise formedof polypropylene and preferably is made of contrasting colors. Forexample, the ball may appear to have two halves of different color.Alternatively, the colors may form a spattered pattern or other design,and one or both colors may be reflective. This feature will create anobject when in motion that provides more visual movement to attract thecat to continue to play with the ball.

In FIGS. 3-10, the several details of a single track section andconnected sections are illustrated. A single track section (see FIG. 3)is composed of a base 24 and cover 26, each molded of a plastic materialsuch as polypropylene that is rugged enough to withstand the stresses towhich they may be subjected by children who use the track system whileplaying with their pet animals and/or the stress imposed upon them bythe animals themselves. While polypropylene is preferred, other plasticssuch as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene or abs may be used. Thebase and cover of each section are designed to be manually coupledtogether and detached from one another without the aid of any tools.

In the embodiment illustrated, each track section is arcuate in shapeand extends through a course of 90° with a constant radius so that foursuch track sections may, for example, be connected as a circular track(see FIG. 11). It should be appreciated however, that the track sectionsmay be of a different curvature and different numbers of sections may berequired to achieve particular track configurations. Moreover, a singlekit may contain track sections of a variety of shapes.

In the embodiment shown, the base 24 has a radially outer wall 30, aradially inner wall 32, and an intermediate generally U-shaped trough34, that may be molded together as a unitized structure. As shown inFIG. 8, the U-shaped trough 34 that defines the lower portion of theball track is formed with a pair of rails 36 and 38. The bottom andinner and outer side portions 40, 42, and 44 of the trough 34 preferablydo not make contact with the ball when it rolls through the tracksection to minimize friction. Upper inner and outer rims 46 and 48 ofthe track base 24 join the tops of the inner and outer walls 42 and 44of the trough 34 with the inner and outer walls 32 and 30 and have flatsurfaces that provide a seat for the lower inner and outer flanges 56 ofthe cover 26 of the track section 20. The track cover 26 in theembodiment shown has a curved hood 59 of generally constant radiusbetween the flanges 56.

The rims 46 and 48 are provided with spaced slots 50 (see FIG. 3) thatreceive the locking tabs 52 carried on the lower sides 53 of the trackcover flanges 56. The locking tabs have one or more wings 54 that arespaced below the lower surfaces 53 of flanges 56 of the cover so as tounderlie the rims 46 and 48 of the base to lock the base and covertogether. Other fasteners may be used for that purpose, but theillustrated arrangement is preferred. In FIGS. 3, 4, and 4A one of thelocking tabs 52 has a wing 54 a that is offset so as to be biased to aposition to lie behind a catch 55 adjacent the corresponding slot 50 inthe track base 24 when the cover and base are assembled so that the twowill not turn relative to one another and accidentally separate. Toseparate the cover and base, the wing 54 a must be displaced out ofalignment with the stop 55 and into alignment with its slot 50. Itshould be appreciated that this latching arrangement is preferred, butother types of catch-like devices may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the track base may be provided with spacedapart feet 58 which carry pads 59 to support the base on a surface suchas the floor. The pads 59 may be employed to protect the surface andalso prevent the track section or an assembly of tracks from sliding onthe floor.

Track sections are connected together end-to-end by the posts 66 andsleeves 68 formed on the ends of the inner and outer walls 32 and 30 andtrough side walls 42 and 44 of each base section. It should be noted(see FIG. 3) that the location of the posts and sleeves at the oppositeends of a single section of the track are reversed. When the posts 66and slots 68 of adjacent track sections are connected together, theyinterlock with one another by the releasable fasteners shown in FIGS.8-10. In FIGS. 4 and 8-10, a peg 61 and opening 63 are shown provided onopposite sides of ends 65 of the base 24 of track section 20. Onopposite ends of each base 24 the sides of the peg 61 and opening 63 arereversed, like the posts 66 and slots 68. The openings 63 are disposedin walls 69 while the pegs 61 are carried on flexible fingers 71. Whenthe ends of adjacent track sections are interconnected by a post 66 andslot 68 and the bottoms of the two sections are coplanar, the pegs 61will enter the facing opening 63 to releasably lock the two tracksections together. To separate the two sections, fingers 71 must bedeflected so as to withdraw the pegs 61 carried by the fingers from theopenings 63, and thereafter the posts 66 may be slipped out of the slots68. Grips 73 are provided on the free ends of each of the fingers 71 toassist in deflecting them so as to withdraw the page 61 from theopenings 63. This arrangement for attaching track sections togetherimparts sufficient stiffness to an array of connected tracks so as toenable them to be lifted with one hand grasping the assembly at anychosen location.

Each track section cover 26 includes an elongated opening 60 thatenables a cat to engage and propel a ball disposed in the track.However, the openings 60 are sized to prohibit a ball from escaping fromthe track through them. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A, the cover 26 issomewhat shorter in length than the base 24 so as to define additionalopenings 62 for exposing a ball in the track when two track sections areconnected together. The openings 62 between the ends of adjacent covers26 are also too small to allow a ball to escape from the tracks.

The cat track system when assembled may also include one or more endcaps 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7. Each end cap includes a base 72and cover 74 that have many similarities to the base and cover of thetrack section 20. However, the end caps 22 are not configured to allow aball to roll through them, but rather the end caps are designed to causethe ball to reverse direction, that is, to roll without assistance backinto the track sections through which the ball was delivered to the endcap. This is achieved by providing the end caps with an inclined rollpath.

The base 72 has a peripheral side wall 76 and an inner trough 78 joinedtogether by the top wall 80 (see FIG. 5). Like the trough 34 in thetrack base 24, the trough 78 has parallel ribs 82 on which the ballrolls with minimum friction. The base of the end cap also includes apost 84 and sleeve 86 that are functionally identical to the posts andsleeves on the ends of the base of each track section. By means of theposts and sleeves, the end sections can be connected to either end ofany of the track sections. The cover 74 of the end cap which isconfigured to sit on the top wall 80 of the base 72 has a hood 90 and arim 92, the rim 92 sitting on the top wall 80 of the base when the twoare assembled. The base 72 and cover 74 are releasably connectedtogether by means of slots 94 in the top wall 80 of the base and tongues96 on the rim 92 of the cover. In FIG. 5 it will be noted that eachtongue 96 is U-shaped and carries a flange 98 that engages ribs 94disposed on the bottom of the top wall 80 of the base 72 adjacent slots94 so as to hold the base 72 and cover 74 together. The cover may beseparated from the base by manually deflecting the flanges 98 to releasethe ribs 94 and align the flanges with the slots 94. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, the top wall 80 of the base also includes a pair ofslots 100 that receive small flanges 102 on the lower side of the rim 92of the cover to precisely align the base and cover.

To provide additional access to the track and more particularly a ballon it, an opening 106 is formed in the dome 90 of the cover aligned withthe track end defined by the trough 78. Like the other openings in thetrack section, opening 106 is too small to enable a ball to escape fromthe track. Sections of track and end caps may be connected together in avariety of different forms so as to expand the cat's interest in thetrack as a toy. The different configurations shown include four or moreidentical track sections 20 but it is to be appreciated that a fewernumber of track sections may be used. For example, a single tracksection 20 combined with end caps 22 at both ends is a fully operativetrack system as well. The track systems in the embodiments shown areused with a ball, preferably made of two contrasting colors 110, whichwhen in motion provides more visual movement to attract a cat to play.

In FIG. 11 an endless track configuration is shown composed of fourtrack sections 20. A ball 110 as described above would be placed in thetrack before the track assembly is fully connected. When the assembly iscomplete, the ball cannot escape. The openings 60 in the top wall ofeach track section and the openings 62 between the ends of adjacenttrack section covers enable the ball 110 in the track to be engaged andpushed along by a cat, but the ball will remain in the assembly.

In FIG. 12, three track sections 20 are assembled to define a 270°continuous curve, and a fourth track section 20 a that may be identicalto the others is assembled in reverse curvature extending away from theother sections so as not to form an endless track. The caps 22 areconnected to the ends of the combined four tracks. Once assembled with aball in the track, the ball cannot fall out of the assembly, but theball may be propelled from end-to-end through the openings 60 and 62 andthe inclined tracks in the end caps will reverse the direction of theball. In this assembly a cat scratcher 120 is added to the track tocreate additional interest for the animal. The scratcher includes acarpet 122 that may have an array of bumps on its lower surface (notshown) so as to hold the assembly in fixed position on the floor orother surface on which the assembly is used. The upper surface of thescratcher may also have an array of bumps to resist the track segmentsfrom shifting on the carpet surface. The carpet preferably is made of asoft, flexible elastomer such as polypropylene. The flexible materialenables the carpet to be folded to reduce packaging and storage size.The cat scratcher 120 shown also includes a cardboard insert 124 thathas a swirled rib on its upper surface and ribs on its edges, and theinsert 124 is held in place by base 125 that surrounds it. It should beappreciated that the scratcher may take other forms and be made of othermaterials as well. An important advantage of the scratcher 120 is thatit fits within and conforms in size to the curvature of the trackassembly and becomes an integral part of the pet toy.

FIG. 13 shows yet a different track configuration with two tracksections 20 forming a 180° semi-circular portion with additional tracksections 20 b connected to end of the semi-circular array, and with thefree ends of the U-shaped track closed by end caps 22. Again, a catscratcher 120 is disposed within and partially surrounded by half theassembled track.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another track assembly in an S-configuration andwith one half of the track assembly disposed at the margin of a catscratcher 120 like those shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and a cat spa 130partially surrounded by the other half of the track assembly. The endsof the assembly include end caps 22 to confine the ball within thetrack. The spa shown includes a gum stimulator 132 carried on a cone 134having cat rubbing ribs 135, a pair of brushes 136, a base 138 with catrubbing ribs 140, and a carpet 142. This configuration providesadditional interest for the cat.

The track assembly of FIG. 15 is similar to that of FIG. 14 but thecurvature of successive track sections 20 is reversed to form a lazydouble S-shape. A scratcher 120 and spa 130 are separated by the middletwo track sections 20 c and 20 d. FIG. 16 shows the track assembly madeup of eight track sections 20 in a figure eight configuration. The loopsof the figure eight assembly separately surround a scratcher 120 and catspa 130 like those shown in FIGS. 12-15.

It is contemplated that the track sections 20 and end caps 22 may besold in different numbers and separated from the spa and scratcher thatalso may be separately sold so that the owner can expand the system tomaintain the cat's interest. It is also contemplated that the tracksections may be made with different curvatures but be capable of beingassembled together to form either a closed loop or track with end caps22. Moreover, the assembly may include greater numbers of track sectionsto form different assembly shapes. The configurations shown in FIGS.11-16 are present by way of examples only, and the invention is notlimited to any specific assembly configuration.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications,and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Suchalterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part ofthis disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings areby way of example only.

1. A cat track system comprising a plurality of tubular track sectionshaving top and bottom portions and sized to receive a ball-like objectthat may roll through the tubular sections, connectors formed on theends of the plurality of tubular track sections enabling the severalsections to be interchangeably joined with one another for formingdifferent track configurations having an elongated ball track, aplurality of openings in the top portion of at least one of theplurality of tubular track section providing access for a cat to theinterior of the at least one tubular track section for advancing a balldisposed in the track configuration, said openings being sized toprevent a ball disposed in the assembled track sections from escapingfrom the track, and wherein at least one of the tubular track sectionsis upwardly inclined to provide an inclined path for the ball-likeobject.
 2. The cat track system of claim 1, wherein the plurality oftubular track sections include a plurality of end caps, and the at leastone upwardly inclined section is at least one of the end caps.
 3. Thecat track system of claim 2, wherein each end cap has an opening smallenough to retain a ball in the track and large enough to enable a cat toreach a ball in the end cover.
 4. The cat track system of claim 1,wherein at least some of the track sections are curved.
 5. The cat tracksystem of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of each section is free ofopenings.
 6. The cat track system of claim 1, wherein each track sectionis curved and the curvature is of constant radius.
 7. The cat tracksystem of claim 1, wherein the top portion of each track section isshorter in length than the bottom portion exposing the ends of eachportion and so as to define with the top portion of the adjacent tracksystem an opening enabling a cat to engage a ball and push it along inthe track.
 8. The cat track system of claim 1, wherein locking tabs andcooperating slots are provided on the sides of the top and bottomportions of each track section enabling the portions of each section tobe detachably connected without tools.
 9. The cat track system of claim2, wherein the end caps have a ball track open to the end of the tracksection to which it is attached and defining a closure for that end ofthe track section.
 10. The cat track system as defined in claim 9,wherein the ball track in the end cap slopes downwardly to the end ofthe track in the section to which end cap is attached.
 11. The cat tracksystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the ends of each bottom portion ofeach track section has a pin and slot lock at each end for enabling anassembled array of track sections to be lifted from one end.
 12. The cattrack system of claim 1, wherein the openings in the top portions of thetrack sections are elongated and extend longitudinally of the sections.13. The cat track system as defined in claim 1, wherein the connectorsare integrally formed on the ends of each track section.
 14. The cattrack system as defined in claim 1, wherein the top portion is separablefrom the bottom portion.
 15. A cat track system comprising: a pluralityof tubular track sections having top and bottom portions and sized toreceive a ball-like object that may roll through the tubular sections,the plurality of track sections includes a plurality of end caps;connectors formed on the ends of the plurality of tubular track sectionsenabling the several sections to be interchangeably joined end-to-endwith one another for forming different track configurations having anelongated ball track; a plurality of elongated openings in the topportions of at least one of the plurality of tubular track sections andproviding access for a cat to the interior of the track sections foradvancing a ball disposed in the track configuration, said openingsbeing sized to prevent a ball disposed in any of the assembled tracksections from escaping from the track; and wherein at least one of thetubular track sections is upwardly inclined to provide an inclined pathfor the ball-like object.
 16. The cat track system of claim 15, whereinthe top portion of each track section is shorter in length than thebottom portion exposing the ends of each portion and so as to definewith the top portion of the adjacent track section an opening enabling acat to engage a ball and push it along in the track.
 17. The cat tracksystem of claim 15, wherein each end cap has an opening small enough toretain a ball in the track and large enough to enable a cat to reach aball in the end cover.
 18. The cat track system of claim 15, wherein thebottom portion of the track sections has inner and outer side walls anda U-shaped trough disposed between the side walls and suspended from thetop of said side walls.
 19. The cat track system of claim 15, whereinthe top and bottom portions are separable.
 20. The cat track system ofclaim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of tubular tracksections is curved.